In the wake of the unexpected passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, the financial institution has swiftly appointed Bolaji Abede as its Acting Group Chief Executive Officer. This announcement was made public in a statement released by Access Holdings on Tuesday morning.
Abubakar Jimoh, the chairman of Access Holdings, affirmed the appointment, emphasizing that it aligns with the company’s comprehensive succession planning practices, “The appointment of Agbede is in alignment with our robust succession planning practices, we are strongly convinced that Agbede being the company’s most senior executive would provide the much-needed leadership to steer the company towards the attainment of its strategic vision” He said.
The news of Wigwe’s untimely demise, along with his wife, son, and three other passengers, including Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), aboard a helicopter bound for Las Vegas, shocked the financial community. The repercussions of this unfortunate event were felt in the financial markets, as the share price of Access Holdings witnessed a significant decline of 6.26% on Monday following the news. Despite the somber circumstances, Access Corporation aims to maintain stability and continue pursuing its strategic vision under Agbede’s leadership.
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Agbede, a seasoned professional with a career spanning nearly three decades in banking and business consultancy, brings a wealth of experience and strategic acumen to her new role. Beginning her career in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank, Agbede steadily ascended through various managerial positions before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer at JKG Limited, a prominent business consulting firm, in 2003.
Transitioning to Access Bank in the same year, Agbede served as an Assistant General Manager, overseeing the management of the bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies. Her leadership prowess was evident as she progressed to become the Head of Group Human Resources from 2010 to 2022, driving the bank’s human capital development efforts.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University UK, Agbede is a distinguished member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. Additionally, she has participated in esteemed leadership and professional development programs, further honing her skills.
The announcement of Agbede’s appointment as Acting CEO was made by the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc on February 12, 2024. Pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria, she is set to lead Access Holdings Plc through this transitional period, leveraging her expertise to steer the company towards continued success.
